1st Cohort Launches March 2026
LIFE (Leadership Immersion for Excellence) is a flexible, competency-driven leadership development program designed to help hospitality leaders grow through virtual leadership foundation courses, cross-department immersion (OJT) experiences, and applied assignments.
To cultivate a cross-functional “leadership bench” of skilled supervisors, managers, and salaried individual contributors who can adapt to changing business needs, support teams, and deliver exceptional guest experiences.
Supervisors, managers, and salaried individual contributors seeking next-level growth.
Review the program guide and submit the interest form on the LIFE program page: lobby.wgresorts.com/life-program. Team Members can submit their interest using this link. There is no application process. LIFE Program Interest Form | March Cohort – Fill out form
It’s participant-driven and milestone-based (self-paced), with cohorts launching company-wide on a schedule (first company-wide cohort launches March 2026, then every 8–12 weeks). There are no strict time limits.
You can finish in as little as ~3 months, or complete over ~12–15 months depending on your pace and scheduling.
Completion depends on finishing required leadership courses, required course field assignments, 10+ immersion streams with sign-off, and a capstone assignment.
Yes—there will be different target levels for skill acquisition based on whether you’re a supervisor or manager.
No—immersions include resort operations, corporate functions, and the contact center.
They’re fully virtual, 90 minutes each, offered multiple days/times each week so participants can choose sessions that fit their schedule.
Key competencies include accountability, coaching & development, conflict management, positive work environment, financial acumen, effective communication, leading change, guest service, problem solving, planning/organization, and strategic thinking.
Each course includes a practical on-the-job assignment that must be completed and submitted in Westgate Learn to receive full credit for the course.
Immersions are departmental learning experiences (often half to full day) focused on specific competencies. A department leader signs off on an OJT checklist verifying competency completion.
10 or more immersion streams (departments).
The guide lists current options including: Contact Center, Engineering, Food & Beverage, Front Office, Housekeeping, Human Resources, Learning & Development, Sales Support, Security, Sourcing, and Talent Acquisition (with 15+ total possible and expanding).
Resort operations immersions are typically 4–8 hours. Corporate and Contact Center immersions may be 2, 4, or 8 hours, with virtual options for team members outside Central Florida or other large resort hubs.
Weekly, 60-minute virtual study sessions hosted by L&D for Q&A, peer collaboration, and applying course concepts to real leadership challenges.
Yes—there’s a LIFE Launch: Welcome and Introduction module hosted by L&D (60 minutes) that introduces goals, structure, and expectations and helps participants navigate the virtual environment.
Multiple dates and times are offered every week for classes, and each topic is offered across different days/times.
L&D provides a contact list. Participants are responsible for reaching out (email/Teams/phone) to schedule directly with each department’s point of contact.
Yes—participants must obtain approval from their direct manager because immersions are on the clock.
No—the order of rotations is flexible, but participants must coordinate scheduling with each department.
An on-the-job-training (OJT) checklist provided by L&D. You use it to track notes and obtain trainer sign-off, then submit the completed checklist (entered into a digital checklist) in the LMS.
